Fluid motor for a power transmission mechanism



March 2, 1937. W. M. BRALY 2,072,356

FLUID MOTOR FOR A FOWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM `Filed Ju1y'14, 1954 4 sheets-sheet 1 ./fld A TTORNE Y March 2, 1937.` w. M. BRALY 2,072,356

FLUID MoToR FOR A POWER TRANSMISSION MEcHANI-sm A Filed July 14, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 3 ffq A TTORNE Y March 2, 1937. w. M. BRALY 2,072,356

FLUID MOTOR FOR A POWER' TRANSMISSION MECHANIS'M File@ July 14, 1934 `4 sheets-shed. 4

/0 a a ffg MT 5w Ww@ 395/ M Patented Mar. 2, 1937 FLUID MOTOR FOR A POWER TRANSMIS- SION MEQHANISM Walter M. Braly, Louisburg, Kans.

Application July 14, 1934, Serial No. 735,243

1,5 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in power transmission mechanisms in which the power transmission is effected by means of fluid, preferably oil. l

5 My improved transmission is adapted for use on ran automobile for transmitting power from the engine to the driving shaft in lieu of the usual shifting gear mechanism, or for the transmission of power at diierent speeds, for many other purl poses.

One ,of the objects of my invention is to provide in a transmission mechanism of the kind described a structure which is simple,strong, durable, not likely to get out of order, which may l be readily applied as a substitute for the usual clutch, gear transmission and. gear shifting mechanism, and which is efficient in its operation.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed. l

In 4the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention, Fig. 1 is a reduced'side elevation, partly broken away, of my improved transmission mechanism. Fig. 2 is an enlarged .side elevationI of the two valves which control the direction of icw of the operating fluid.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged bottom view of what is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the slide valves and part of the stem of the other slide valve.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal sectional view, partly broken away, of my improved mechanism. f

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section on the plane of the line 'I-l of Fig. 9.

"'Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on the line B-B of Fig. 1, showing the valve controlled filling tube.

Fig. 9 is a-section on the line 9.'-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a section on the plane of the line IU--IIl of Fig. 6, the adjacent partition being omitted.

Fig. l2 is a section on the line I2I2 of Fig. 6. Fig. 13 is a section on the line I3--I3 of Fig. 1, showing the plugged drain outlet of the pump.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view ofthe valves and oil conducting passages, showing the valves as disposed when the two left chambers are connected with the pump and the right chamber disconnected therefrom and by-passing its uid.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the positions of the valves when the two right Fig. 11 is a section on the line II-II of Fig. 7.

chambers are by-passingand the left chamber is connected with the pump.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the positions of the valves when the pump is bypassing and all of the chambers are disconnected y5 from the pump and by-passing.

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the 'positions of the valves when the valves are in reverse and the pump is by-passing, and all of the chambers are disconnected from the pump and by-passing.

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the valves in the positions occupied by-them when in reverse and all of the chambers areconnected with the pump.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged perspective of one of the pivoted sealing members.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the different views.

I designates a casing having a chamber 2 through which extends a horizontal shaft 3 rotatable in the casing I and adapted to be an engine driven shaft, or a shaft driven by any other means.

Keyed on the shaft 3 and revolubly fitted eccentrically in the chamber 2 and on the shaft 3 is a piston 4, Figs. 6 and 1l.

That portion of the periphery of the piston 4 which is closely adjacent to the inner wall of the chamber 2, is transversely grooved its full width, .and tted in the groove is a shim plate 5 on which rests a removable block 6 whichhas in its upper side a concave groove l. The block 6 at the side edges of the groove 'I has traveling engagement with the inner wall of the chamber 2.

In the upper part of the casing I is provided a longitudinal groove Il, which is rectangular in cross section and is closed at its ends and extendsv above the chamber 2, Figs. 4 and 6. Communieating at their upper ends with opposite sides respectively of the groove 8 are two passages for iiuid the lower ends of which are adapted to communicate with the chamber 2 and with the groove 1, when the piston 4 vrevolves in the chamber 2, said passages being designated 9 and I0.

Sealing means` are provided comprising two wings II and I2, each of which is represented in Fig. 19, pivotally mounted at their upper partially cylindrical edges in the casing I between the passages 9 and IIl, and extending oppositely down- 50 wardly across the passages 9 and Ill and bearing on the block 6 4at opposite sides of the groove 1, I when the piston 4 is in the position shown in Fig'. 11.

When the piston 4 revolves, the wings I I and I2 55 will have traveling engagement with the periphery of the piston, thus preventing the iiuid passing directly from one of the passages 9 and I6 through the chamber 2. As the piston 4 is revolved counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 11, fluid will enter the chamber 2 through the passage I6 and will be discharged through the passage 9.'

The casing I has removably fastened to its upper side a cover I3 which closes the upper side of the groove 8.

For inserting fluid, such as oil, into the chamber 2, the casing I is provided with a threaded passage I4, Figs. 1 and 8, which communicates with the e chamber 2 and has fitted in it a iilling tube l5 having at its outer end a threaded removable 'cap I6. An inwardly opening ball valve l1 is held against a seat in the tube l5 by a coil spring I8 which bears at its inner end against a tube I9 fitted in the internally threaded end of the tube l5.

For providing a cushioning effect, when the chamber 2 is provided with oil, a small amount of air is permitted to remain in the filling tube I5 and the passage I4.

Longitudinally slidably adjustably fitted in the groove 8 is a valve 20, which is rectangular in cross section, and which has attached to one end a stem 2| which extends through the adjacent end of the casing I, and with which thevalve 28 may' be adjusted to 'its different operative positions. The valve 20 has a passage 22 in one side which extends zigzag across the top of the valve and into the opposite side of the valve. The valve is provided With another passage 23 which extends from one side and zigzags across the bottom of the valve and into the opposite side, Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Alined in the groove 8 with the valve 20 is another valve 24'rectangular in cross section and longitudinally slidably` adjustably iitted in the groove 8, and which is provided at one end with an operating stem 25 which extends longitudinally through and is movable lengthwise in the valve 26 and the casing I. Two longitudinal passages 26 and 21 are respectively provided in opposite sides of the valve 24. The under side of the valve 24 is provided with three angular by-pass passages 28,29 and 30, Figs. 3 and 14 to 18. In Fig. 2, the side passages 26 and 21 are shown in solid and dotted lines respectively. They are also shown in Figs. 4, 6, 9, 10, l1 (dotted), 12 and 14 to 18.

As shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 6, the valve 24 is provided near the end thereof adjacent to the valve 26 with a transverse through.

The casing I is provided at opposite sides respectively of the groove 8 with two horizontal longitudinal U shaped passages 32 and 33. One end of the passage 32 is adapted to selectively register with the passages 22 and 23 of the valve 26, and the other end of the passage 32 is adapted to selectively register with the passages 26 and 3 I.

One end of the passage 33 is adapted to selectively register with the passages 23 and 22 of the valve 20, and its other end is adapted to register with the passages 21 and 3I.

In'thecasing I alined with the shaft 3 is a shaft 34, Fig.' 6, which has a squared head 35 iitted in the` casing and which holds the shaft 34- from revolving.

Concentric with the shaft 34 and revoluble thereon in the casing I is a cylinder generally designated by 36, and which, as shown, comprises `v`two end plates 31'and 38; three cylindrical members 39, 46, and 4I which are annular and concentric with the shaft 34, and are disposed spaced passage 3l there- V'and 4I are chambers 45, 46, and 41. in which are respectively eccentrically disposed three cylindrical stationary pistons 48, 49, and 56 keyed on the stationary shaft 34 and the ends of which are closely fitted against the ends of the chambers in which they are respectively disposed.

The pistons 48, 49, and 50 are each transversely grooved in its periphery, and in the grooves are respectively mounted shim plates 5I, 52, and 53, on which are respectively mounted blocks 54,55, and 56, each having in its upper side a transverse arcuate groove, said grooves being designated by 51, 58, and 59. 'I'he blocks 54, 55, and 56 at the side edges of the said grooves respectively'have traveling engagement with the inner walls of the annular cylinder members 39, 40, and 4I.

The pistons are disposed in diierent circumferential positions on the shaft 34, preferably with the radial centers of the blocks 54, 55, and 56 disposed spaced about 120 degrees apart. as shown in Figs. 10, 9, and l2.

'I'he annular cylinder member 39 is provided with two radial ports 60 and 6I disposed respectively in different transverseplanes, Fig. 10. The

annular member'46 is provided with two radial ports 62 and 63, and the member 4I is provided with two ports 64 and 65, the ports 62 and 63, and the ports 64 and 65 being disposed respectively as are the ports 60 and 6 I, Figs. 9 and 12.

Sealing means comprising two wings 66 and 61, each corresponding in shape to what is shown in Fig. 19, are pivoted at their adjacent partially cylindrical edges in the annular cylinder member 39, between the ports 60 and 6I, and extend in opposite'directions across the ports 60 and 6I respectively, and are adapted to have traveling engagement with the periphery of the piston' 48, as shown in Fig. 10. 4

Similarly pivoted in the annular cylinder member 46 between the ports 62 and 63 and adapted for traveling engagement with the periphery of the piston 49, are two wings 68 and 69, Fig. 9.

Two Wings 10 and 1I, corresponding to the wings 66 and 61, are pivoted in the annular cylinder member 4I between` the ports 64 and 65 and are adapted for traveling engagement with'the periphery of the piston 50, Fig. 12.

Respectively encircling the chambers 45, 46, and 41 between the casing I and the annular cylinder members 39, 46 and 4I, arev annular ducts 12, 13, and 14, which respectively are in constant communication with the ports 6I, 63, and 65.

Also respectively encircling the chambers 45, 46, and 41 between the casing I and the cylinder members 39, 40, and 4I, are annular ducts 15, 16, and 11, which are respectively in constant communication with'the ports 60, 62, and 64.

In the casing I are passages 16, 19, and 88, which respectively communicate with the ducts 15, 16, and 11. The other ends of the passages 18, 19, and 80 terminate at the left side of the groove 8, as viewed in Figs. l0, 9 and 12, and are adapted to be closed by the valve 24, and also to respectively communicate with recesses 8 I 82, and

the shaft 98, the valve 24 is moved to the positionV 83 in the upper part of the passage 26 in the valve, Figs. 2 and'6.

In the casing I are passages 84, 85, and 86 which respectively communicate with the ducts 12, 13, and 14, and which terminate atA the right side of the groove 8, as viewed in Figs. 10, 9, and

12, and are adapted to be closed by the valve.24, and also to respectively communicate with recesses l81,98, and 89 in the lower side of the respectively from the passages 84, 85, and 86 to the bottom of the groove 8, and are adapted to communicate respectively with thebyppassages 28, 29, and 38, Figs. 3, 9, 10, and 12..

As shown in Figs. 1 and 13, the casing I has a drain passage 96 which extends from the lower part of the du'ct 11 to the atmosphere, which passage is normally closed by a removable screw plug 91. 4

The end plate 38 of the cylinder 36 is provided with an axial shaft extension 98, which may be employed as a driving shaft for any desired purpose, as for driving the carrying Wheels of an automobile.

Assuming that the engine, or other power, revolves the shaft 3 counter clock-Wise, as viewed in Fig. ll, the piston 4 will force fluid, as oil, which is in the chamber 2, therefrom into the passage 9, the wing |I opening when the block 6 passes from thereunder. f

If it is desired to drive the shaft 98 and the cylinder 36 in the same direction as the shaft 3, the operator sets the valves 28 andl 24, if it is desired to have the propelling fluid enter all of the chambers 45, 46 and 41 of the cylinder 36, in the positions shown in Fig. 4. The fluid will then pass from the passage 9 into the` valve passage 22, Fig. 4, thence into and through the passages 32 and 26, and from the latter passage, the uid will pass by the passages 18, 19, and 88 into the ducts 15, 16, and 11, and from thence respectively through the ports 68, 62, and 64 into the chambers 45, 46, and 41 of the cylinder 36. 'Ihe cylinder 36 will thus be revolved clock-wise, as viewed in Figs. 9, 10, and 12, and the fluid will pass from the chambers v45, 46, and 41 by the ports 6|, 63, and 65 respectively into and through the passages 84, 85, and 86 into the passage 21 of the valve 24, and from thence through the passage 33, valve passage 23 and passage I8 back into the chamber 2 of the pump.

If it is desired to increase the speed of the shaft 98, the'valve stem 25 is operated to move the valve 24 to the positionshown in Fig. 14, in which position the valve 24 will disconnect the passages 88 and 86 from the passages 26 and 21, and will connect the branch passages 92 and 95 with each other through theangular passage 38 in the shown in Fig. 15, the valve 28, being left in the same position as it was, and as shown in Figs. 14 and 4. The valve 24 will now cut off the chamber 46 as well as the chamber 41. The chamber 41 will have its oil by-passed, in the manner just before described, and the chamber 46 will have its oil by-passed through the port 63, duct 13, passages 86, 94, 29, 9|, and 19, duct 16 and port 62 back to chamber 46.

If it is desired to stop rotation of the shaft 98 while retaining rotation of the pump shaft 3 and piston-4, the valve 28 is left in the position shown in Figs. 4, 14, and l5, and the valve 24 is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 16, in which position the passages 32 and 33 will connect with the transverse passage 3| in the valve 24, whereupon the oil will pass from the pump chamber 2 through the passages 9,22, 32, 3|, 33, 23, and I8 back tothe chamber 2, and the valve 24 will cut off the passages 18, 19, and 88 from the passage 26, and the passages 84, 85, and 86 from the passage 21.

The chambers 46 and 41 will be lay-passed, in the manner already described, and the chamber 45 will be by-passed through the port 6I, Vduct 12, passages 84, 93, 28, 98, and 18, duct 15 and port 68 back to chamber 45, and the cylinder 36 will stop revolving through power from the pump.

The direction or rotation of the shaft 98 may then be reversed by shifting the valve 28 from the position shown in Figs. 4, 14, 15, and 16 to -of the valve 24.

If now the valve 24 be shifted to the position shown in Fig. 18,'it will'be in the initial position, shown lin Fig. 4, and the ow of oil will pass from the pump through the passages 9, 22, 33', and 21, and from the latter will be divided through the chambers 45, 46, and 41 in direction the reverse of that described with relation to the positions of the valves 28 and 24, as shown in Fig. 4. The

flow will pass from the passage 21 in the valve 24 through the passage 84, duct 12, port 6I, cham- 'ber 45, port 68, duct 15, and passage 18 to the valve passage 26. The flow will pass from the passage 21 through the passage l85, duct 13, port 63, chamber 46, port l62, duct 16, and passage 19 to the valve passage 26. The flow will pass from the passage 21 through the passage 86, duct 14, port 65, chamber 41, port 64, duct 11, and passage 88 into the valve passage 26.

The flow will pass from the valve passage 28 through the U shaped passage 32, passage 23 and passage I8 back to the chamber 2 of the pump, and the direction of rotation of the cylinder 36 will be counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figs. 9, 10, and l2, thereby reversing the direc- -tion of rotation of the shaft 98 from that in which it revolved when the valve 28 was in the-position shown in Figs. 4, 14, and 15,

Any well known means, not shown. may be employed for shifting the valves 28.and 24.

The casing I may be of any desired construction. As shown, that part of the casing which contains the cylinder 36 comprises two end` plates I.. 99 and |88 and rings |8I held clamped side by side between the end plates 9S and |00 by bolts |02 which extend through the plate 99 an'd plates or rings |0| and have threaded engagement with the end plate |00.

That portion of the casing in which is located the chamber 2 of the pump, in the structure shown, comprises two end plates |03 and |04 between which is clamped a ring portion |05, which encircles the chamber 2, by bolts |06 which extend through the end plates |03 and |04 and the ring portion |05 and have threaded engagement with the end plate 99.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 10, annular packing rings |01 are provided, in annular grooves for containing them between the ring portions |0| and between the end plates 99 and |00 and the ring portions I 0| respectively next thereto.

By disposing the fixed pistons 40, 49, and 50 in diierent circumferential positions, as shown, power is at all times applied to revolve the cylinder 36 when two or more of the chambers 45, 40, and 41 are in operative connection with the Pump- It will be noted that higher than the lowest speed may be obtained in either direction of rotation ofthe cylinder 36.

In the specific form shown and described, the pump having the engine driven member 4 rotative in the chamber 2 having the 'outlet 9 and the inlet I0, constitutes the means for supplying, through the valved passage 8 and its branches, fluid under pressure to each of the cylinder chambers through either of its ports and discharging it through the other port.

Various modiiications of my invention, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from its spirit.

What I claim iszl. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, sealing means comprising a propelling wing carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearing at all times on the periphery of said piston, and means for suD- plying iiuid under pressure to said chamber through one of said ports and discharging it through the other port.

2. In a power transmission mechanism, ay casing having two passages, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, propelling sealing means operative to drive said cylinder in either direction and carried by said cylinder between said ports .and bearing at all times 4on the periphery of said piston, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said chamber through either of said ports and discharging it through the other port.

3. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing having two passages, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber and with said passages respectively, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, sealing means comprising a propelling wing carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearing at all times on the periphery of said piston, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said chamber through one of said passages and discharging it through the other passage and means by which said passages may be given direct connection with each other.

4. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing having two passages, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber and with said passages respectively, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, sealing means comprising a propelling wing carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearing at all times on the peripheryof said piston, means, for supplying iiuld under pressure to said chamber through either of said passages and discharging it through the other passage and means by which said passages may be given direct connection with each other.

5. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing having two passages for iiuid, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, two ducts respectively continuously connecting said ports with said passages and encircling saidcylinder between the latter and. said casing, and propelling sealing means carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearing at all times on the. periphery of said piston.

6. In a power transmission mechanism, a casingv having two passages for fluid, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, two ducts respectively continuously connecting said ports with said passages and encircling said cylinder between the latter and said casing, propelling sealing means carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearing at all times on the periphery of said piston, and means for supplying pressure to said chamber through one of said passages and for discharging it through the other passage.

'1. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing having two passages for fluid, a cylinder rotative inv said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, two ducts respectively connecting said ports with said passages and encircling said cylinder between the latter andsaid casing, propelling sealing means carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearing at all times on the periphery of said piston, means for supplying uid under pressure to one of said passages and for discharging it through the other passage and means by which said passages may be given direct connection with each other.

8. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing having two passages for uid, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber, a

stationary 'piston disposed eccentrically in said,

chamber, two ducts respectively continuously connecting said ports with said passages and encircling said cylinder between the latter and said casing, propelling sealing means carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearing at all times on the periphery of said piston, means for supplying fluid under pressure to either oi.' said passages and for discharging it through the other passage and means by which said passages may be given direct connection with each other.

9. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing having two passages, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a chamber and two ports communicating with said chamber and with said passages respectively, a stationary piston disposed eccentrically in said chamber, propelling sealing means carried by said cylinder between said ports and bearingat all times on the periphery of said piston, and means for supplying fluid under pressure and including a valve by which the fluid may be supplied to vsaid chamber `through one of said ports and discharged through the other port and by which the passagesmay be directly connected with each other.

10. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing, a cylinderrotative in said casing and having chambers each having two ports, stationary pistons disposed respectively eccentricallyV in said chambers, a plurality of pairs of Wings pivoted to and carried by said cylinder, one pair of said wings `being disposed between said ports of each chamber and extending circumferentially in opposite directions, and bearing at all times on the periphery ofthe adjacent piston, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to each of said chambers through one of the said ports thereof and discharging it through the other port thereof.

11. In a power transmission mechanism, a cas-v ing, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having chambers each having two ports, stationary pistons disposed respectively eccentrically in said chambers, propelling sealing means in each of said chambers carried by said cylinder between the ports of the chamber and bearing at all times on the periphery of the adjacent piston, means for supplying iiuid under pressure to one of the ports of each of said chambers and discharging it through the other port thereof and means by which said ports of one of said chambers may be directly connected with each other. I

12. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having chambers each having two ports, stationary pisytons disposed respectively eccentrically in said chambers, propelling sealing means carriedl by said cylinder in each of said chambers between the ports thereof and bearing at all times on the periphery of the adjacent piston, means for supplying uid under pressure to each of said chambers through one of the ports and discharging it through the other port thereof and means by which the ports of each of said chambers may be directly connected with each other.

13. In a power transmission mechanism, a casing, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a plurality of chambers each having two ports, a plurality of stationary pistons respectively eccentrically disposed in said chambers, propelling sealing means in each of said chambers between the ports thereof and bearing at all times on the periphery of the adjacent piston, means for supplying iluid under pressure to each of said chambers through one of the ports and discharging it through the other port thereof and means by which the fluid supply may be shut od from each orali of said chambers and the'ports of each disconnected chamber be given direct connection with each other.

14. In a power transmission mechanism, a oasing, a cylinder rotativein said casing and having two chambers disposed side by `side and having a common axis and each having two ports, two stationary pistons disposed respectively eccentrically in said chambers, four ducts encircling said cylinder between the latter and said casing and respectively communicating with said ports.

` propelling sealing means carried by said cylinder in each of said chambers between the ports thereof and bearing at all times on the periphery of the adjacent piston, means for supplying fluid under pressure to two of said ducts which are respectively connected to said chambers and for discharging the uid through the other two of said ducts and means by which the ducts' com municating with one of said chambers may be directly connected with each other.

15. In a power transmission mechanism, a pump having an engine drivenmember and an butlet and an inlet for fluid, a casing, a cylinder rotative in said casing and having a driving member and a plurality of chambers each having two ports communicating therewith, stationary pistons disposed respectively eccentrically in said chambers, propelling sealing means carried by said cylinder in each of said chambers between said ports thereof and bearing at al1 times on the 

